Letters: Letter on driving in fast lane riles readers

As of 2015, it is the law to pull over to the right lane if you are not passing other drivers or are not turning left.Ric Ernst / PNG

Re: There is no fast lane, Letters, Oct. 6

Rupi Mittal is exactly who Robert Peebles is talking about. Arrogant, obnoxious and self-absorbed with the attitude: “I am going the speed limit and I don’t care and will not move over for you.” The signs “Slower Traffic Keep Right” means just that, once you have passed and are no longer keeping up with traffic, move over. What it does not mean is that if you are going the speed limit and there are others behind, you can stay there. I suppose when you see a sign that reads “Left Lane is for Passing Only” it does not apply to you. If you have two or more people in the HOV Lane, it also does not give you the right to go 70 kph in a posted 100 kph zone. You sir, are very inconsiderate of drivers around you. That is the very definition of a self-appointed arbiter, forcing others to illegally pass you on the right.

Ruggero Sandri, Surrey

The letter written by Rupi Mittal continues to illustrate the general lack of knowledge regarding B.C.’s motor vehicle laws. Since June of 2015, Sec. 150 of the Motor Vechicles Act requires that drivers keep right and allow other motorists to pass on the left. This applies to any B.C. highway with two or more lanes travelling in the same direction and the posted speed is 80 kph or higher. It is not “perfectly acceptable to travel in the left lane, if one is driving at the maximum speed limit.” In fact, it is illegal, punishable by a fine of $167 and three demerit points.

Ron Isaac, Port McNeill

Rupi Mittal is totally correct in stating there is no fast lane, but errs when he says it is acceptable to drive/cruise in the left lane. For those of you who don’t get it, that left lane is a passing lane. After you pass, you move into the right lane when appropriate, and get out of the passing lane. The sooner people practice this simple driving rule, the fewer accidents we will have on our roads.

Wade Gaylard, Nanaimo

In response to Rupi Mittal’s response to Robert Peebles, and the meaning of “slower traffic keep right”: It is a generally understood that we, at least here in B.C., pass on the left. Whether on roads or escalators, the convention is simply understood.

On the highways of this province, however, it is the law. Since June 12, 2015, anyone failing to yield the lane to passing traffic is subject to a $167 fine and three driver points. Those who drive in the left lane may not be “self-appointed arbiters of all official speed limits”, but nor are you “upholding and respectful of the law.”

Instead of debating what is or isn’t the “legal” use of our roadways, how about we all show a little consideration behind the wheel. If you are alone on the road, no one cares what lane you are in. But if there is a line of vehicles behind you and nothing in front, pull over and let them pass.

Michael Bell, Gibsons

Rupi Mittal is misinformed, and is one of the reasons that there are so many accidents and aggressive drivers on the roads. “Keep right” means exactly what it says. The left lane is a passing (or fast) lane. And the reason that there is a posted speed limit is to keep to the limit. If you can’t keep to the speed limit, you shouldn’t be on the highway. If you are not driving the posted speed, keep right. And by the way, you can get a ticket for passing on the right side. Learn the rules of the road.

David Reid, Burnaby

If you think it is your right to obstruct the flow of traffic, you shouldn’t have a driver’s license. Apparently, you don’t understand what “slower traffic keep right” means. Here’s hoping you get a ticket for obstructing traffic soon. People like you cause accidents by frustrating other drivers.

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